Baltimore

Gene and Katie were absolutely two of the coolest people I’ve met in a long time. Super laid back as well as they’re entire bridal party. A perfectly well planned and executed wedding day at Chase Court in Baltimore, Maryland. Loved their first look at the Peabody Court in front of the Washington Monument. Smart couple to get a bunch of the photos done early in the day with lots of gorgeous available lighting. Worked alongside Bill Desrochers and his son Eric, and “Dr. Spinn” Chip Corbin for entertainment. An absolutely wonderful day!

Jill and I spent Saturday with Annette and Jon celebrating their wedding ceremony at the chapel on Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland with a fabulous reception to follow at the Greyrock Mansion in Pikesville, MD.. Great fall weather allowed the opportunity to do lots of shooting outside on this historical campus. Hair and makeup by none other than the best in the business, Up Do’s for I Do’s and their brother company Beat 2 Beat Djs furnished the mixes. Behind the digital turntable was Dan McGinty… the man! This classy couple even had the Cold Spring Jazz Quartet playing some colorfully classical jazz numbers during cocktail hour (everyone knows I’m a jazz maniac). Check out the website of this first class jazz quartet. Floral arrangements furnished by Sarah Campbell-Angers from Intrigue Design and Decor.

As you can tell by the number of photos that I posted below… this was one amazing wedding! One of our all time favorites in all the 13 years we have been practicing this profession. From the venue to the bluegrass band to the extreme weather – there were so many variables that made this one for the memory banks. Jeff and Erin were a first class couple ready to roll with the punches. The threat of extreme weather and tornado’s? Who care’s. Nothing is going to stand in the way. Attitude is everything and these folks had some amazing karma. In spite of the crazy weather, we even ended up the day with one of the most amazingly colorful sunsets I’ve seen in a long time. Jill and I were honored to be able to share in this incredible day. There are so many things I loved about this wedding – it would take me paragraphs to list them all. Let me first say that I love barns and wide open spaces. Tie in a dramatic sky and some bluegrass and you have the recipe for a perfect photographic day. This was our first time shooting at the Richardson Farm on the outskirts of Baltimore County in the town of Hydes, MD. I hear they do a limited number of weddings each year; I hope to be back here real soon. Robyn Burke and the catering staff did an amazing job with setting up the barn for the reception to preparing and food. Perfection, it’s that simple. And I’m a bluegrass lover. This was right up my alley. The 19th Street Band were incredible. Meghan the violinist played a beautiful Irish melody as the bride walked down the aisle, then switched to mandolin alongside her husband Caolaidhe on guitar and Mike on the upright bass to pick out tunes from Michael Jackson to Mumford and Sons! I couldn’t believe my eardrums. These three instruments created more music than some ten piece bands I’ve heard. The energy was contagious and spilled out right onto the dance floor.

From Baltimore to Severna Park, we tried dodging the rain drops but no such luck….again! Lately the umbrella has become as essential to my equipment bag as a lens or flash. Met up with Kim at the BWI Westin which by the way is an awesome hotel! Never been there before. Did a little pre-wedding bridal portrait session with Kim and the girls. Lighting was perfect thanks to the overcast. Off to the wedding ceremony at St. Joseph’s Monastery in Baltimore; what a gorgeous church. Makes me proud that I was an alter boy growing up. Sheila, the church coordinator, said the church was built in the 1930’s; simply amazing! We had some extra time in the sanctuary before the evening mass to creatively light some really dramatic images. Then off to Severna Park’s Chartwell Golf and Country Club for some pre-reception pics on the golf course. Yale Moyer is the nicest lady to work with; we just love her! She had two golf carts ready to roll (with umbrellas and towels) once we arrived so we were able to ride and bounce around in comfort to a couple great locations overlooking the scenic golf course. Well, we did it again,.. overcame the weather and captured more inspiring and timeless images in spite of the rain. Great weekend.